Peat is a type of soil consisting of the residues of plant material. It occurs in wet areas where the plant material in the water can accumulate faster than it decays. This ultimately may form thick packages of peat.

In temperate climates, peat is common. In the past, peat was used to serve as fuelin Northern Europe and was excavated on a large scale. In dried form it is called turf.

If peat becomes buried deeper in the course of geological time and is covered by sediments,finally lignite isformed under the influence of temperature and pressure. If the preocess continues, coal is formed.

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